Sujimoto: From Humble Beginnings to Real Estate Royalty

Success stories often emerge from humble beginnings, and the journey of Sijibomi Ogundele, better known as Sujimoto, is a shining example of this narrative. Sujimoto, a name synonymous with luxury real estate in Nigeria, has risen from challenging circumstances to become a trailblazer in the industry. Ogundele is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sujimoto Group, a luxury construction company focused on building extraordinary edifices in premium neighbourhoods of Ikoyi and Banana Island. The Sujimoto group is said to worth over $400 Million with annual revenue of approximately $30 million. He is also a venture capitalist and an investment strategist.   In this article, we will explore the early life and remarkable success story of Sujimoto, shedding light on the attributes and experiences that have paved the way for his incredible achievements.

The Early Life of Sujimoto

Sujimoto grew up in Agege and lived with his parents where he learned the importance of entrepreneurship. He attended public primary and secondary schools as his parents could not afford to send him to a private school.

As early as 8 years of age, Ogundele had started trading with his mother in Oke-Arin in Agege. After a while, he went on to start his first business which was “Okada” business. Even though his parents disapproved, he was relentless and from his little savings. He grew his okada business from having just one motorcycle to 6 motorcycles. 

Ogundele mentioned his mother strong support system who was a high school dropout but never gave up on her dreams. She was a salesgirl but has now gone on to become one of the top 5 distributors of Nestle. His childhood experience, he said, has helped to build his resilience.

Ogundele studied law in the United Kingdom and has international real estate experience in Europe, Dubai and the United States. 

An Unconventional Path to Success

Ogundele found his passion for the real estate industry when he lived in the South of France. After years of working for multinationals, Saudi Arabian Investment firms, and trained Venture Capitalists abroad. Ogundele thought it was to move back to Nigeria and put his experience and exposure into something different. 

The real estate magnate was into real estate brokerage in France where he brokered a lot of deals in Project management and Financing. His major break was in 2011 when he bought an apartment in Paris, remodelled it and sold it in less than two months from a friend from Qatar for double the price. This he said reignited his interest to expose himself more on the real estate career path. 

He says his motivation for real estate happened the day he visited his aunt’s brand new house in Banana Island. she had just moved in but still need to do renovations in the house despite paying so much for it. It was there and then that he knew he wanted to redefine the luxury real estate industry in the country and he started his business Sujimoto in 2014 when he finally moved back to Nigeria. 

The Genesis of Sujimoto Group

Equipped with knowledge and experience, he came back home to put his business plan into work.  Sujimoto Construction is grouped into property development, renovation and facility management arms. Its property development unit provides services in real estate and property development for the company and for its clients. It undertakes various projects from the planning stage to completion. Its expertise is in the development of luxurious buildings of unique architecture and other facilities.

Challenges as Stepping Stones

Sujimoto faced numerous challenges along the way, from navigating the complexities of the real estate industry to overcoming economic uncertainties. However, he viewed these obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning. His resilience and determination in the face of adversity were instrumental in propelling him toward success.

Landmark Achievements

Sujimoto’s relentless pursuit of excellence has borne fruit with the creation of exceptional residential projects. The GiulianoBySujimoto, MediciBySujimoto, and Sujimoto Signature are testaments to his commitment to innovative design, quality, and luxury. These projects have not only transformed the Lagos skyline but have also redefined the standards of luxury living in Nigeria.

Conclusion

The success story of Sujimoto, from his modest upbringing to his current status as a real estate magnate, is a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and unwavering determination. Sujimoto’s journey, marked by an unconventional path to entrepreneurship, has redefined luxury living in Nigeria. His early life experiences instilled in him the values and qualities that have made him a true success story, and his commitment to quality and innovation continues to drive Sujimoto Group’s remarkable achievements in the real estate industry. Sujimoto’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, demonstrating that with the right mindset and unwavering determination, one can overcome adversity and achieve great success.